Sunrise in Bali - Across the Pond Trilogy (Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

your daybag, an extra layer if you're cold, some water, your
wallet, and your camera. Don't go forgetting that last one, trust me,
you're gonna need it.” Andy always seemed to be upbeat. “Oh, one
more thing. Some of us might wanna stretch our legs a bit up there –
guys I'm looking at you,” he gestured towards Mark, Henry and
Andrew. “If anyone wants to crack on at a quicker pace, I can lead
that group, and Wayan here will tag along at the back. Oh shit, sorry
– Wahan here is a local guide whose joining us to the top. Guys,
meet Wayan”

    Everyone
quickly shook Wayan's hand.

    “ We'll
all start off together, but if some of us start stretching off at the
front, you guys behind stick with Wayan, OK? Now as I told you last
night, the route is easy, but it can get a little steep at times, so
just go at your own pace and if you can't keep up, Wayan will be
there to help. Righto...let's get cracking, shall we?”

    With
that Andy launched off towards the base of the mountain, flashlight
in hand. Henry immediately followed, with Mark and Andrew close
behind. “Boys,” thought Jenny as she joined in towards the back
with Sarah. “Why do they always have to be at the front? So
competitive!”

    Within
about 30 minutes the ascent was starting to pick up. Andy was right
in saying that it wasn't difficult – you simply had to follow the
well marked path – but is was definitely steep. Jenny started to
wish that she had got a longer nights sleep, or at least that she'd
taken Mark up on his offer for one of those super Red Bull's he had
packed in his rucksack. Unfortunately it was a little too late: the
boys had already sped off, and Jenny found herself towards the back
with Sarah, Eno and Miley. Unfortunately, the latter two were now
pegging Jenny and Sarah back, but they had to stick with Wayan for
safety reasons.

    They
continued like this for a further hour, plodding along and stopping
for the odd short break. Soon the light of dawn began to appear, a
precursor to the actual sunrise. By this point though, the climb had
begun to level out, and they were making good progress. Wayan assured
them that they'd get to the platform for sunrise, so they didn't fret
too much.

    With
the light getting steadily brighter, they spotted the lookout point
about 50 meters ahead. Mark and Henry were both sat on a bench,
gazing down towards the lake below and the mountains in the distance.
They were both busily fiddling with their cameras, trying to alter
the settings to capture the most spectacular sunrise pictures
possible.

    As
they did so, the hue around the fringes of the distant mountains
began to grow more intense; more colorful. Gradually, the golden smog
burst to life, the sun peeking out over the side of the hills and
casting a ferocious glow over the landscape below. The lake sparkled
and shone, while in the distance the coastline of the island grew
ever more clear, casting a light over the Lombok Strait, the
interconnecting body of water between the two neighboring islands.

    Jenny
had never witnessed such a sight. She gazed down at the beautiful
blends of color filling the valley below, transfixed by the majesty
of it all. As she did, she felt a hand touch her lightly on the side,
and turned to see Henry standing next to her. He was close, his body
and hand warm despite the cold. He turned to her and bent down
towards her ear: “do you want a perfect moment?” he whispered.
She turned her head and her eyes caught his, a glint of orange light
illuminating his hazel browns. She nodded, and he slowly drew his
lips towards hers, pulling her into a deep, longing kiss. His warm
lips moved over hers perfectly, like two cogs in a machine,
lubricating her senses. Her mind was a whirl, her heart aflutter.
Then, as soon as it had began, Henry's lips slid from hers, casting
them back into the cold air.

    He
stepped back, smiled, and turned away, wandering off to find a new
vantage point to take a picture. Jenny starred after him.